On 25 May 2026, ACCORD hosted the first quarterly Community Peace Action and Advocacy Dialogue at a local community hall in KwaMashu, eThekwini, aimed at strengthening the role of local women leaders in promoting peaceful and credible local government elections in eThekwini. This dialogue forms part of a quarterly series under ACCORD’sStrengthening Women’s Leadership for Inclusive Peacebuilding in eThekwini programme.
The dialogue was co-facilitated by Governance and Livelihoods Agenda (Agenda GL) with women leaders from KwaMashu, to strengthen their ownership of the process and enhance their leadership role. The women leaders in attendance were from the communities of KwaMashu, Umlazi and Isipingo who form part of ACCORD’s programme, in addition an invitation was extended to the local community members who reside within the community of KwaMashu.
The programme opened with remarks highlighting the important role that women play in fostering stability and accountability within their communities. Participants were encouraged to use their networks to promote peaceful elections and to support community members with accurate electoral information.
As part of the dialogue, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) provided a technical brief focused on electoral processes, voter education, the Electoral Code of Conduct, and the role of community leaders in promoting peaceful, non-partisan civic participation during the electoral period.
Interactive sessions explored strategies for countering misinformation and preventing the spread of rumours that could heighten tensions. Through group discussions and simulation exercises, participants emphasised the importance of verifying information, promoting unity across communities, and establishing trusted communication channels among women leaders.
The dialogue also included hotspot mapping exercises, during which participants identified areas with elevated risks of conflict or instability in their respective communities. These findings will support ongoing engagement with the IEC and other stakeholders to strengthen preparedness ahead of the elections. In addition, representatives from different wards mapped community assets and identified safe spaces that could support local peacebuilding initiatives.
During the discussions, participants identified several challenges affecting local peacebuilding efforts, including shortages of communication equipment, security concerns related to theft, and logistical difficulties in monitoring large communities. These discussions informed practical planning on how the women leaders can better respond to risks during the election period.
The meeting concluded with a commitment from participants to mobilise voter awareness campaigns, strengthen coordination amongst themselves, and continue working together to promote peaceful, inclusive, and credible elections across the eThekwini area.
ACCORD continues to strengthen the capacity of women as leaders and peacebuilders in their communities, this in line with the institution’s strategic objectives to enhance the role of women to prevent, mitigate and resolve complex conflicts.
